The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among middle school students in Tabriz (northwestern Iran)

To investigate the prevalence of atopic syndrome and the associated risk factors among middle school students. Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema have an extensive epidemiologic diversity in various geographic areas. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 1508 students in the city of Tabriz (a northwestern Turkish-populated region of Iran) in 2009. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: The prevalence of cumulative and periodic wheezing and diagnosed asthma was 3.7%, 2.9%, and 2%, respectively. The diagnosed prevalence of cumulative and periodic allergic rhinitis and hay fever was 17.1%, 16.0%, and 13.6%, respectively. For cumulative and periodic nocturnal rash and eczema, the diagnosed prevalence was 5.4%, 4.7%, and 7.3%, respectively. Asthma symptoms were more prevalent in the western part of the city than in the central and eastern parts, and boys were more likely to have symptoms of rhinitis and eczema than girls. Having pets and a history of hospitalization increased the chance of eczema, and advanced maternal age was correlated with the presence of asthma symptoms. Breastfeeding, household size, and exposure to cigarette smoke did not have any effect on the appearance of atopic diseases. Conclusion: The small difference observed in this study between the prevalence of cumulative and periodic allergic rhinitis could be caused by the sharp recent increase in allergic rhinitis prevalence. An ecological survey in the western part of the city could be valuable in helping to determine the factors contributing to the higher prevalence of asthma there in comparison with the central and eastern parts. Such a survey should examine demographic, environmental, and even ethnic variables in this geographical region and perhaps even in adjacent countries.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Key words: Asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, students, Tabriz, Iran

The prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema among middle school students in Tabriz (northwestern Iran)

Keywords:

allergic rhinitis, eczema, students, Tabriz, Iran, Asthma,

PDF

___

Stipić-Marković A, Pevec B, Pevec MR, Custović A. Prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and atopic eczema: in a population of schoolchildren in Zagreb. Acta Med Croatica 2003; 57: 281-5.
Entezari A, Mehrabi Y, Varesvazirian M, Pourpak Z, Moin M. A systematic review of recent asthma symptom surveys in Iranian children. Chron Respir Dis 2009; 6: 109-14.
Karimi M, Mirzayee M. Relationship between Iranian (Yazd) child with smoking and prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms. Hormoz-gan Medical J 2007; 4: 291-295.
Vichyanond P, Jirapongsananuruk O, Visitsuntorn N, Tuchinda M. Prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema in children from the Bangkok area using the ISAAC questionnaires. J Med Assoc Th ai 1998; 81: 175-84.
Asher I, Björkstén Lai C, Strachan D, Weiland S, Williams H. Asthma hits plateau but eczema and hay fever increase. Lancet ; 368: 733-43. Woolcock AJ, Bastiampillai SA, Marks GB, Keena VA. Th e burden of asthma in Australia. Public Health, MJA 2001; 175: 145.
Willatt DJ. Children’s sore throats related to parental smoking. Clin Otolaryngol 1996; 11: 317-321.
Strachan D, Cook D. Health eff ects of passive smoking. 6. Parental smoking and childhood asthma: longitudinal and case-control studies. Th orax 1998; 53: 204-212.
Duff y, D. Epidemiology of asthma & allergy. http://www.qimr. edu.au/davidD/asthma2.html. Masjedi MR, Fadayezade L, Njafi zadeh K, Dokuhaki P. Prevalence and intensity of symptom of rhinitis allergic among Tehranian child. Esfahan University of Medical Science J 2005; 23: 36-41.
Mohammadzadeh I, Ghafari J, Barari Savadkoohi R, Tamaddoni A. Th e prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in north of Iran: ISAAC. General Physician Iran J Pediatr 2008; 18: 117-122.
Bazzazi H, Gharagozlou M, Kassaiee M, Parsikia A, Zahmatkesh H. Th e prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders among school children in Gorgan. JRMS 2007; 12: 28-33.
Heidarnazhad H, Soumi MH, Azarfarin R, Charsouei S, Akbari M. Prevalence of asthma and atopic states-related symptoms in school (6-7 yrs), high school (13-14 yrs) children in Tabriz (ISAAC study). Eur Respiratory J 2001; 18: 330-68.
Golshan M, Miralayei A, Mohammad-zade Z, Yalda K, Loghmanin L. Prevalence of asthma in students of Zarrin- Shahr. Iranian Child Disease J 2002; 4: 35-40.
Abbasi-Ranjbar Z. Prevalence of rhinitis allergic among children in Rasht (Iran). Gilan University of Medical Science J 2005; 14: 56-62.
Davis AM, Kreutzer R, Lipsett M, King G, Shaikh N. Asthma Prevalence in Hispanic and Asian American ethnic subgroups. Pedatrics 2006; 118: 363-370.
Wang XS, Tan TN, Shek LP, Chng SY, Hia CPP, Ong NBH et al. Th e prevalence of asthma and allergies in Singapore. Arch Dis Children 2004; 89: 423-426.
Munivrana H, Vorko-Jovic A, Munivrana S, Kursar M, Medlobi-Gluhak M. Th e prevalence of allergic diseases among Croatian school children according to the ISAAC Phase One questionnaire. Med Sci Monit 2007; 13: 505-509.
Solé D, Wandalsen GF, Camelo-Nunes IC, Charles Naspitz K. Prevalence of symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, and atopic eczema among Brazilian children and adolescents identifi ed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) - Phase 3. J. Pediatr 2006; 82: 341-6.
Keil T, Bockelbrink A, Reich A, Hoff mann U, Kamin W, Forster J, Schuster A, Willich SN, Wahn U, Lau S. Th e natural history of allergic rhinitis in childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010 published electronically in advance of printing].
Liard R, Chansin R, Neukirch F, Levallois M. Prevalence of asthma among teenagers attending school in Tahiti. Epidemiol Community Health 1988; 42: 149-151.
Sears MR, Herbison GP, Holdaway MD, Hewitt CJ, Flannery EM, Silva PA. Th e relative risks of sensitivity to grass pollen, house dust mite and cat dander in the development of childhood asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 1989; 19: 419-424.
Kerkhof M, Koopman LP, Van Strien RT, Wijga A, Smit HA, Aalberse RC et al. and the PIAMA study group. Risk factors for atopic dermatitis in infants at high risk of allergy: the PIAMA study. Clin Exp Allergy 2003; 33: 1336-1341.
Ghaff ary J, Nazary Z, Ghraghozlu M. Survey of relationship among type delivery and long term breast feeding and asthma incidence. Mazandaran University of Medical Science J 2008; : 87-90.
Rust SG, Th ompson C, Minor P, Davis-Mitchell W, Holloway K, Murray V. Does breastfeeding protect children from asthma? J Natl Med Assoc 2001; 93: 139-147.
Sears MR, Greene MJ, Willan RA, Taylor DR, Flannery EM, Cowan JO et al. Long-term relation between breastfeeding and development of atopy and asthma in children and young adults: a longitudinal study. Lancet 2002; 360: 901-907.
Sharifi L, Pourpak Z, Bekaye S, Karimi A, Movahhedy M et al. Risk of incidence of asthma with daily smoking by parents: case control study. Tehran University of Medical Science J ; 67: 655-660.